Welcome to our 2014 series of concerts and workshops. 2013 was full of a variety of enjoyable musical events and proved to be a great success. Professional and student chamber music concerts throughout the year were combined with workshops for young musicians. Our fund raising Vintage tea in July was thoroughly appreciated by the local community, when the audience enjoyed a selection of locally made sandwiches and delicious cakes in the United Reformed Church gardens, while entertained by young musicians and older members from the community here in Broadstone. This is something that we would like to develop into a summer tradition, so look out for another one this year, hopefully!

Our various workshops and recitals were successful again throughout 2013. A highlight was when we invited Bournemouth Symphony players to tutor young musicians, alongside Maxime Tortelier, the “Young Conductor in Residence”. 65 young musicians took part in this day and it wasn’t just performing music. We invited a zumba instructor to give everyone a gentle workout during the afternoon break!

Gala concert. Six talented advanced young violists, enjoyed a workshop in the summer from the viola professor Jon Thorne from Royal Academy of Music, and towards the end of the year, we were joined by the “Alauda” string quartet, post graduate students from Royal Academy of Music. They performed for us, but also tutored two young string quartets during the afternoon. This was closely followed by a fund raising quiz night when locals, young and old were challenged during a fun evening while they also enjoyed a ploughman’s meal!

Our Christmas concert was a great end to an action packed second year, when young players sat in an orchestra next to professionals for an evening of Haydn, Mozart and Handel, in candlelight, and solo performances around the Christmas tree. This was a very atmospheric and festive evening. We also formed our own community choir for the last part of the concert.

We are now excited about our 2014 series plans, which will hopefully be another full year of quality music making. Fund raising remains a priority, to enable us to continue at this level, but there will be concerts by seniors students, our returning young professionals, and we are delighted to be able to welcome further professional players to enchant us, and work with and inspire our up-and-coming young musicians. One highlight this year will be a violin recital on June 8th by Amyn Merchant, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s leader.

We continue to be dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and providing performing opportunities for young aspiring musicians alongside renowned professionals. It is our goal to integrate professional musicians, including those in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, with local young talented musicians through workshops and joint performances. This enables these young musicians who historically further their studies away at Music College or University to have a performance platform at home to the pleasure of us all.

We once again plan to finish the year with a Christmas concert celebration, to include many musicians who have participated throughout the series. We will continue to work towards the objectives of providing education and opportunities to our young musicians and outstanding music for us all with the most generous help of our local professional players. We remain grateful to the advertisers in our programmes and all those who donate time and energy to help with the fund raising in order for our series to continue.